Mark Salling took home Cory Monteith tribute

The stars of the musical drama ensured they all had mementos of their time on the show when filming ended for good, and the 32-year-old actor took home a lasting reminder of his late co-star, who died of a drugs and alcohol overdose in 2013.

He said: "I stole that plaque that had [Cory's] picture on it and put it above my piano, and a pair of shoes."

Meanwhile, Chord Overstreet took his letterman jacket and Jane Lynch "went through the proper channels" before she took three of the tracksuits worn by her character Sue Sylvester - but other stars were much more daring.

Lea Michele said: "Darren [Criss] took a couch you guys!"

And the couch wasn't the only thing Darren took - Amber Riley revealed he and Chord took some of the sound insulation to put in their home studios.

As well as their individual mementos, each cast member was given a piece of tile cut from the stage they had performed on.

Lea admits she was a "mess" during the final days of filming and was completely overwhelmed performing her last solo, a song called 'This Time' written by co-star Darren.

Speaking at PaleyFest, she told the audience: "I cried the whole week. I was a mess."

Discussing performing her song, she added: "That was the day I fell to my knees and cried. I literally had to call my mother to come. It was the most special day. I got to say everything to everyone here and everyone who will watch it that I wanted to say, but you can't think of the words, and he wrote them."

Meanwhile, it has been revealed that the two-hour show finale will feature a tribute to Cory and the late actor will appear via a flashback.